View source for Saale

{{short description|River in Germany}}
{{About|the river of Bavaria, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt|other uses and other rivers with the same name|Saale (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{infobox river
| name              = Saale
| map               = Saale (rivière).png
| map_size          = 280px
| map_caption       = The Saale has its source in the [[Fichtel Mountains]] in northeastern [[Franconia]] ([[Bavaria]]) and flows into the [[Elbe]] at [[Barby, Germany|Barby]], [[Saxony-Anhalt]].
| image             = Petersgrat_bei_Hof_Bayern.jpg
| image_size        = 250px
| image_caption     = The Saale valley near Hof
| mapframe          = yes
| mapframe-zoom     = 6
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[Germany]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[States of Germany|States]]
| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|[[Bavaria]]|[[Thuringia]]|[[Saxony-Anhalt]]}}
| subdivision_type3 = Reference no.
| subdivision_name3 = DE:&nbsp;56
| length = {{convert|413|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name="Bergemann">{{cite web | url=https://www.fgg-elbe.de/dokumente/fachberichte.html?file=tl_files/Download-Archive/Fachberichte/Allgemein/Fliessgw2015.pdf | title=Gesamtliste der Fließgewässer im Elbeeinzugsgebiet | author=Michael Bergemann | publisher=Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Reinhaltung der Elbe | date=1 July 2015 | access-date=21 March 2018 | language= de| format=PDF; 791 kB}}</ref>
| width_avg = 
| depth_avg = 
| source1_location = near [[Zell im Fichtelgebirge]]
| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|50.12056|11.83056|type:river_region:DE-BY|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| source1_elevation = {{Höhe|728|DE-NN|link=true }}
| mouth_location = near [[Barby, Germany|Barby]] into the [[Elbe]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|51.95472|11.91389|type:river_region:DE-ST|format=dms|display=inline}}
| mouth_elevation = {{Höhe|49.5|DE-NN|link=true}}
| basin_population = 
| basin_landmarks = {{ubl
 | Cities: [[Jena]], [[Halle (Saale)]]
 | Large towns: [[Hof (Saale)]], [[Saalfeld/Saale]], [[Rudolstadt]], [[Naumburg (Saale)]], [[Weißenfels]], [[Merseburg]], [[Bernburg (Saale)]]
 }}
| progression       = {{RElbe}}
| basin_size = {{convert|24167|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}<ref name="Bergemann"/>
| discharge1_location = 
| discharge1_min = 
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|115|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max = 
| tributaries_right = [[White Elster]], [[Orla (Saale)|Orla]], [[Southern Regnitz|Southern]] and [[Northern Regnitz]]
| tributaries_left = [[Schwarza River (Saale)|Schwarza]], [[Ilm (Thuringia)|Ilm]], [[Unstrut]], [[Salza (Saale)|Salza]], [[Wipper (Saale)|Wipper]], [[Bode (river)|Bode]]
| waterbodies = 
| ports = Hafen Halle (Saale), Sophienhafen in Halle (Saale)
| bridges = Saale bridge, Rudolphstein, <br/>Old Saale bridge, Jena-Burgau
| custom_label = Navigable
| custom_data = From its mouth to [[Bad Dürrenberg]]; for Europa ships to Halle-Trotha<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wsv.de/service/karten/bundeseinheitlich/index.html |title=Federal Water and Navigation Authority |access-date=9 May 2010 |archive-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213100539/http://www.wsv.de/service/karten/bundeseinheitlich/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| extra = 
}}

The '''Saale''' ({{IPA|de|ˈzaːlə|-|De-Saale.ogg}}), also known as the '''Saxon Saale''' ({{langx|de|Sächsische Saale}} {{IPA|de|ˈzɛksɪʃə ˈzaːlə|pron|De-Sächsische Saale.ogg}}) and '''Thuringian Saale''' ({{langx|de|Thüringische Saale}}), is a river in [[Germany]] and a left-bank [[tributary]] of the [[Elbe]]. It is distinguished from the smaller [[Fränkische Saale|Franconian Saale]], a right-bank tributary of the [[Main (river)|Main]], or the [[Saale (Leine)|Saale]] in [[Lower Saxony]], a tributary of the [[Leine]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Saale'' comes from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] root {{wikt-lang|ine-x-proto|*sélos|*séles}} 'marsh', akin to [[Welsh language|Welsh]] {{lang|cy|hêl, heledd}} 'river meadow', [[Cornish language|Cornish]] {{lang|kw|heyl}} 'estuary', [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] {{tlit|grc|hélos}} 'marsh, meadow', [[Sanskrit]] {{tlit|sa|sáras}} 'lake, pond', [[Sarasvati River|''Sárasvati'']] 'sacred river', [[Old Persian]] ''Harauvati'' '[[Harut River|Hārūt River]]; [[Arachosia]]', [[Avestan]] {{tlit|ae|Haraxvatī}}, idem. It may also be related to the Indo-European root {{lang|ine-x-proto|sal}}, "salt".<ref name="GamkrelidzeIvanov2010">{{cite book|author1= Thomas V. Gamkrelidze|author2= Vjaceslav V. Ivanov|title= Indo-European and the Indo-Europeans: A Reconstruction and Historical Analysis of a Proto-Language and Proto-Culture. Part I: The Text. Part II: Bibliography, Indexes|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=M2aqp2n2mKkC&pg=PA581|date= 15 December 2010|publisher= Walter de Gruyter|isbn= 978-3-11-081503-0|page= 581}}</ref>

The Slavic name of the Saale, ''Solawa'', still found in [[Sorbian language|Sorbian]] texts, comes from [[Old High German]] {{lang|goh|sol}}, "salt", and {{lang|goh|awa}}, "water".<ref name="Jacob1894">
{{cite book
|author= Georg Jacob
|title= Die Ortsnamen des Herzogthums Meiningen
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5ChBAAAAYAAJ
|year= 1894|publisher= Kesselring|page= 55
}}
</ref>

==Course==
[[File:Bad Kösen Saalewehr und Alte Mühle (01).jpg|thumb|left|Saale in [[Bad Kösen]]]]
The Saale originates on the slope of the [[Großer Waldstein]] mountain near [[Zell im Fichtelgebirge|Zell]] in the [[Fichtel Mountains]] in [[Upper Franconia]] ([[Bavaria]]), at an elevation of {{convert|728|m|ft}}. It pursues a winding course in a northern direction, and after passing the manufacturing town of [[Hof, Bavaria|Hof]], enters [[Thuringia]]. It flows amid well-wooded low mountains of the [[Thuringian Forest]] until it reaches the valley of [[Saalfeld]]. After leaving Saalfeld the Saale reaches [[Rudolstadt]]. Here it receives the waters of the [[Schwarza (Saale)|Schwarza]], in whose valley lies the ruined castle of [[Schwarzburg (municipality)|Schwarzburg]], the ancestral seat of the formerly ruling [[House of Schwarzburg]].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

From Saalfeld, the Saale enters the limestone hill region north of the Thuringian Forest, and sweeps beneath the hills enclosing the [[University of Jena|university]] town of [[Jena]]. It enters [[Saxony-Anhalt]] and passes the spa of [[Bad Kösen]] and, after receiving the deep and navigable [[Unstrut]] at [[Naumburg]], flows past [[Weißenfels]], [[Merseburg]], [[Halle, Saxony-Anhalt|Halle]], [[Bernburg]] and [[Calbe]]. It finally joins the Elbe just above [[Barby, Germany|Barby]],{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}} after traversing a distance of {{convert|413|km|mi}}<ref name="Bergemann"/>—shortened {{convert|14|km|mi|0}} by a bypass from its natural length of {{convert|427|km|mi}}.

The Saale is navigable from Naumburg and is also planned connected from [[Leuna]] with the [[White Elster]] near [[Leipzig]] by an unfinished canal. The soil of the lower part of its valley is exceptionally fertile, and produces, amongst other crops, large quantities of [[sugar beet]]. Among its tributaries are the White Elster, [[Southern Regnitz|Southern]] and [[Northern Regnitz]] and [[Orla (Saale)|Orla]] on the right bank, and the [[Ilm (Thuringia)|Ilm]], Unstrut, [[Salza (Saale)|Salza]], [[Wipper (Saale)|Wipper]] and [[Bode River|Bode]] on the left. Its upper course is rapid. Its valley, down to Merseburg, contains many castles which crown the enclosing heights.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}

==Geography==
Originating in [[Zell im Fichtelgebirge|Zell]], the Saale flows through – [[Sparneck]] – [[Weißdorf]] – Seulbitz – Förbau – [[Schwarzenbach an der Saale]] – Fattigau – [[Oberkotzau]] – [[Hof (Saale)|Hof]] – Brunnenthal – Saalenstein – Joditz – Landesgrenze Bayern/Thüringen – [[Hirschberg (Saale)|Hirschberg]] – [[Sparnberg]] – Rudolphstein – [[Blankenberg (Thüringen)|Blankenberg]] – [[Blankenstein]] – [[Harra]] – Saaldorf – [[Saalburg-Ebersdorf|Saalburg]] – Poeritzsch – Gräfenwarth – [[Burgk]] – Walsburg – [[Ziegenrück]] – Neidenberga – [[Hohenwarte]] – [[Eichicht (Kaulsdorf)|Eichicht]] – [[Kaulsdorf (Saale)|Kaulsdorf]] – Fischersdorf – Weischwitz – Reschwitz – [[Breternitz]] – [[Saalfeld/Saale|Saalfeld]] – Schwarza – Volkstedt – [[Rudolstadt]] – Catharinau – Kolkwitz – Weißen – [[Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel|Uhlstädt]] – Rückersdorf – Zeutsch – Niederkrossen – [[Orlamünde]] – [[Freienorla]] – [[Großeutersdorf]] – [[Kleineutersdorf]] – [[Kahla]] – [[Großpürschütz]] – Jägersdorf – [[Rothenstein, Germany|Rothenstein]] – Maua – Lobeda – [[Jena]] – Zwätzen – Porstendorf – [[Dornburg/Saale|Dornburg]] – [[Dorndorf-Steudnitz]] – [[Wichmar]] – [[Camburg]] – Tümpling – [[Großheringen]] – Kleinheringen – Landesgrenze Thüringen/Sachsen-Anhalt – Stendorf – Saaleck – [[Bad Kösen]] – [[Naumburg (Saale)|Naumburg]] – Schellsitz - Schönburg – Eulau – [[Goseck]] – [[Leißling]] – Lobitzsch – [[Uichteritz]] – Markweben – [[Weißenfels]] – Dehlitz – [[Schkortleben]] – Kleinkorbetha – [[Großkorbetha]] – [[Oebles-Schlechtewitz]] – [[Wengelsdorf]] – [[Bad Dürrenberg]] – Kröllwitz – [[Leuna]] – Trebnitz – [[Merseburg]] – Meuschau – Freiimfelde – [[Schkopau]] – Korbetha – Hohenweiden – Rockendorf – Holleben – [[Halle (Saale)|Halle]] – Kröllwitz – Lettin – [[Brachwitz]] – Schiepzig – [[Salzmünde]] – Pfützthal – [[Döblitz]] – Zaschwitz – [[Wettin, Saxony-Anhalt|Wettin]] – [[Kloschwitz]] – Rumpin – Dobis – [[Friedeburg (Saale)|Friedeburg]] – Zickeritz – [[Rothenburg (Saale)|Rothenburg]] – Nelben – Gnölbzig – Trebnitz – [[Alsleben (Saale)|Alsleben]] – Poplitz – Großwirschleben – [[Plötzkau]] – [[Gröna]] – Neuborna – [[Bernburg (Saale)|Bernburg]] – Dröbel – [[Nienburg (Saale)|Nienburg]] – [[Wedlitz]] – Damaschkeplan – Wispitz – [[Calbe (Saale)]] – Trabitz – [[Groß Rosenburg]] – Werkleitz

==Tributaries==
{|
|-
| valign="top" |
Left:
* [[Schwarza River (Saale)|Schwarza]]
* [[Ilm (Thuringia)|Ilm]]
* [[Unstrut]]
* [[Salza (Saale)|Salza]]
* [[Wipper (Saale)|Wipper]]
* [[Bode River|Bode]]
| valign="top" |
Right:
* [[Orla (Saale)|Orla]]
* [[White Elster]]
* [[Southern Regnitz]]
* [[Northern Regnitz]]
|}

==See also==
* [[Saale-Unstrut]], a wine-growing region
* [[List of rivers of Bavaria]]
* [[List of rivers of Thuringia]]
* [[List of rivers of Saxony-Anhalt]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* Ernst-Otto Luthardt, Reinhard Feldrapp: ''An der Saale. Vom Fichtelgebirge durch Thüringen bis zur Elbe.'' Würzburg 1990. {{ISBN|3-8035-1335-9}}
* Wolf Thieme, Markus Altmann (Fotos): ''Mitten ins Herz. Sie entspringt in Bayern, durchquert Thüringen und fließt in Sachsen-Anhalt in die Elbe – die Saale ist ein Fluss, der alles verbindet. Und jedem Spaß macht: dem Sportler, dem Kulturfreund, dem Faulenzer.'' In: [[Stern (magazine)|stern]] Nr. 26 (22. Juni 2006), S. 84-89. ([https://www.stern.de/lifestyle/reise/deutschland/:Deutschland-Mitten-Herz/564540.html Online-Version])
* {{EB1911|wstitle = Saale|volume=23|page=953}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{Rivers of Germany}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Federal waterways in Germany]]
[[Category:Fichtel Mountains]]
[[Category:Rivers of Bavaria]]
[[Category:Rivers of Saxony-Anhalt]]
[[Category:Rivers of Thuringia]]
[[Category:Saale basin| Saale]]
[[Category:Rivers of Germany]]